DOGE blows $21.7 billion paying people to do nothing — even scientists are checking park tickets

Economic Times

2 days ago

DOGE $21.7 billion waste: A Senate report reveals the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly led by Elon Musk, wasted $21.7 billion in taxpayer money. The funds were largely spent on a deferred resignation program and paying high-level staff for entry-level tasks. Despite claiming $199 billion in savings, DOGE faces criticism for prioritizing disruption over effective governance.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
DOGE Accused of Massive Taxpayer Money Waste
Over $66 Million Paid to High-Level Staff Doing Entry-Level Jobs
Political Concerns Over Leadership and Experience
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Thousands of Federal Employees Paid Despite Uncertainty
Wasted Food Aid and Medical Supplies Add to Costs
True Costs of DOGE's Failures Still Unknown
DOGE Claims Savings Despite Controversy
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
FAQs
In what critics are calling a, previously headed by, thehas reportedlypaying hundreds of thousands of federal employees to essentially stop working, a new Senate report revealed, according to the Irish Star.The huge figure includes $14.8 billion paid under a deferred resignation program that has kept around 200,000 employees on the government payroll without active duties for the past eight months, as per the report. The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, compiled the report, highlighting the massive costs tied to this controversial program, as per the Irish Star report.ALSO READ: Palantir bags $10 billion Army deal, one of the biggest defense contracts ever, cements it as the brain behind US war machine But the waste doesn't stop there. The report also exposes more than $66 million spent on high-level government staff doing entry-level jobs, according to the Irish Star. One particularly surreal example details scientists being paid over $138,000 to simply check visitors that are in national parks, as per the report.Named after the popular 2013 meme, the department was initially created to tackle government inefficiency and cut wasteful spending, with the task to wage "war on waste," as reported by the Irish Star. However, the 55-page report suggests the opposite has happened: 'By prioritizing disruption over governance and failing to identify solutions for any of the problems it purported to solve, DOGE has created its own forms of waste," as quoted by the Irish Star.ALSO READ: Microsoft lays off thousands, makes $27 billion profit in Q2 — CEO Satya Nadella doubles down on AI mania The Democrats on the subcommittee say this massive spending mess is unsurprising, pointing to the department's leadership under a tech CEO with no prior government experience, as per the report. According to The Washington Post, more than 154,000 federal workers remain on payroll through September or even year-end, with many unsure when or if their paychecks will stop.A former worker told HuffPost, 'Maybe this week, maybe next week, maybe the week after, or maybe next month,' adding, 'We all just kind of guess and make predictions, and we're usually wrong," as quoted by Irish Star.The ex-employee also highlighted that, 'DOGE really forced waste, fraud and abuse by eliminating so much of the federal workforce,' as quoted in the report.Further adding to the chaos, the report reveals $110 million worth of food aid and medical supplies have been left to spoil in warehouses, creating additional costs for taxpayers down the line, as reported by the Irish Star.Democrats warn that the $21.7 billion figure is likely an underestimate since it excludes ongoing legal expenses related to lawsuits filed over DOGE's actions, according to the report.The report notes, 'The full extent of the waste and harm caused by DOGE's disruptive activities is difficult to quantify because costs remain hidden and many of the consequences have yet to fully materialize,' as quoted by the Irish Star.Despite these glaring issues, DOGE claims it has saved Americans $199 billion, as per Irish Star. Although Musk left the department following a public falling out with US president Donald Trump, the department continues its work, according to the report. Its website proudly states that just last week, dozens of employees were fired from major departments, including Interior, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, as reported by the Irish Star.A Senate report says DOGE wasted $21.7 billion paying employees to do little or no work.Yes, despite the issues, DOGE claims it saved $199 billion for Americans.